Saudi Arabia has taken further steps to relax rules around the sale of alcohol by allowing non-Muslim foreign residents with monthly earnings of 50,000 riyals ($13,300) or more to make purchases, according to people familiar with the matter.
Residents must prove their income by showing a salary certificate to gain entry to the country’s only liquor outlet, located in Riyadh, said the people, who asked not to be identified because of the sensitivity of the matter.
The store opened last year for sales to foreign diplomats and recently extended access to non-Muslims with so-called premium residency status, according to Bloomberg.
As Saudi Arabia continues to undergo gradual social and economic transformations as part of its long-term development vision, the appearance of a store in Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter that serves ‘alcohol’ to a limited group of non-Muslim foreign residents with special residency status, in addition to diplomats.
The New York Times said, although no official announcement has been made regarding any policy adjustments, the development has drawn attention because it reflects the kingdom’s broader pattern of implementing changes gradually and with minimal public communication.
The store operates in a discreet facility typically accessible only after identity verification, and it appears to function under a regulated system linked to government-issued identification.
Customers described structured entry procedures and a digital-access platform tied to official systems, suggesting that the operation is closely monitored. The store’s presence, along with a quota-based purchasing system, reflects the kingdom’s longstanding approach of ensuring strict oversight in sensitive regulatory areas.
This cautious, incremental method mirrors how Saudi Arabia has introduced several social changes over the past decade. Many shifts — such as extended operating hours for businesses or relaxed social restrictions — were adopted quietly and gradually, without formal announcements.
Residents interviewed described initial uncertainty regarding the conditions of entry and the specifics of the new procedures, reflecting a period of adaptation common to newly introduced policies. The kingdom’s broader transformation strategy frequently involves testing new administrative mechanisms before formalizing them.
The context for these developments includes Saudi Arabia’s drive to attract skilled professionals, enhance its global competitiveness, and support diversification beyond oil.
The country is preparing for major international events and working to expand sectors such as tourism, hospitality, and cultural industries. These initiatives are key components of the kingdom’s economic vision and require an environment that accommodates a wide range of international visitors and residents.
